Once the Seattle Storm parted ways with Noelle Quinn, the future of the club’s roster became uncertain, to say the least. The on-again, off-again negotiations between WNBA owners and the player association raised serious doubts about the WNBA’s immediate future. Would there be a 2026 season? If so, what would it start on time, and how would the financial relationship between the players and owners change?
STORM HIRE A NEW COACH
The first domino to fall and bring some clarity on a micro level for Storm fans was the hiring of Sonia Raman as the team’s head coach to replace Quinn. The hiring was in October, and it was a long winter for Storm and WNBA fans as the negotiation drama between the owners and the players’ executive committee dragged on.
On March 26th, the two sides settled 16 days after the owners imposed the deadline. The deal was ratified, and the two expansion teams, Portland and Toronto, held an expansion draft on April 3rd, with the league’s free agency to begin on April 6th. The Storm’s first loss was Nika Muhl to the Portland Fire. Teams were allowed to send qualifying offers and Core Player designations contracts to prospective players. The negotiating period was set for April 8th-10th, with signings commencing on April 11th.
SUBTRACTION BEFORE ADDITION.
With the third and 14th pick overall in the upcoming draft, there was much speculation as to how the draft picks would affect the Storm roster. Would they have a mix of young players and savvy vets to get them over the hump and compete for a Championship, or would they go full rebuild mode? That question was answered early in the free agency period when the goodbyes started rolling in. When Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, and Skylar Diggins bid the Emerald City adieu, it was a forgone conclusion that the Storm was headed into rebuild mode for a third time.
WHO WILL THE TEAM BUILD AROUND
With budding star Dominque Malonga returning, it became a question of who else the team would bring in to support, nurture, and build to be a contender in the near future. The Storm’s first move was to activate Jordan Horston, who missed her second season due to a torn ACL after a promising rookie year. The Storm, Talisa Rhea, and her front office tipped their hats when they extended a Core qualifying contract to Ezi Magbegor, and reserve contract offers to Mackenzie Holmes and Zia Cooke.
ROSTER BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE
On the first day free agents could sign contracts, Holmes and Cooke put pen to paper on April 11th. The team made its first outside signing when it agreed to terms with Natisha Hiedeman. The former Minnesota Lynx three-point specialist spent the last two seasons with the Lynx and played an integral role in the team reaching the 2025 WNBA Semifinals and the 2024 WNBA Finals.
A leader on the court and in the community, Natisha brings a competitive edge to our team,” said Storm General Manager Rhea. “Coming off one of the most efficient seasons of her career, she’s ready to be a lead guard in our backcourt. We are thrilled to welcome Natisha to Seattle.”
FAMILIAR FACES
On Sunday, the Storm brought back some familiar faces, and the must-have was Ezi Magbegor, who put pen to paper on Sunday and squashed nonsense rumors that speculated she might return.
“From the start, it was a priority for us to bring Ezi back to Seattle. She means a great deal to this organization and to our city,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “On the court, she has a real impact on the defensive end with her ability to cover ground, protect the rim, and disrupt plays. She anchors us.
What’s been just as impressive is her growth and the way she’s expanding her game and her voice. This next chapter is about fully stepping into that. We believe Ezi is one of the most impactful two-way players in the league, and we’re excited to keep building with her at the center of it.”
Also returning to the Storm were Katie Lou Samuelson and Jade Melbourne. Samuelson missed all of the 2025 season due to a ACL injury suffered during training camp and will be longing to make her way back on the court for a full season. Melbourne spent the last two seasons with the Washington Mystics after being drafted by the Storm in 2022, and started her WNBA career in 2023 with the Storm before moving on to Washington.
ANOTHER NEW FACE
The Storm’s last signing on Sunday was two-time All-Star Sefanie Dolson from the Mystics. Dolson spent the past two seasons with the Washington Mystics, averaging 24 minutes per game in 2024 while shooting a career-high 46.5% from beyond the arc. Her three-point efficiency earned her a spot in the 2024 WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest. In 2025, she averaged 15.2 minutes per game while shooting 42.3% from the field.
“Stef brings a championship pedigree and a veteran presence that aligns with our culture and our direction,” said Rhea. “She’s the kind of player who elevates a locker room through her professionalism, consistency, and approach to the game. Her versatility adds real value to our roster, and we’re excited for Stef to step into this group and be part of what we’re continuing to build here.”
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